Born in rural Illinois and raised in southeastern Wisconsin much of Kate Clapper's childhood was spent outdoors, and the landscape of the midwest has had a profound influence on her. An appreciation for the integral relationships which exist between people and land was emphasized by summer visits to her grandparents' farm in western Kansas, and helping out in the family garden kept her hands adequately dirty when she was at home.
Kate earned a BFA with emphasis in printmaking and photography from UW- Milwaukee in 1997. For several years after that she managed the printmaking studios at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design before deciding to focus fully on art making by pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at UW-Madison. During her graduate studies she fell in love with letterpress printing. After graduating in 2003 Kate chose to stay in Madison, and in 2005 she acquired a Vandercook letterpress with which she is now developing a small custom letterpress printing business.
Kate earned a BFA with emphasis in printmaking and photography from UW- Milwaukee in 1997. For several years after that she managed the printmaking studios at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design before deciding to focus fully on art making by pursuing a Master of Fine Arts at UW-Madison. During her graduate studies she fell in love with letterpress printing. After graduating in 2003 Kate chose to stay in Madison, and in 2005 she acquired a Vandercook letterpress with which she is now developing a small custom letterpress printing business.